Saudi flights off until mid-November: IndiGo until Nov 14, Air India Riyadh and Dammam until Nov 7; trouble for Telugu Gulf workers and Umrah pilgrims

Indian airlines' services to Saudi Arabia will stay largely suspended until mid-November, citing regional airspace restrictions and security concerns. The hit falls hardest on Telugu Gulf workers, Umrah pilgrims and families planning trips home.

Suspended until (as of October 29)

• IndiGo: Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Madinah – November 14
• Air India / Air India Express: Riyadh, Dammam – November 7; Jeddah – October 31
• Akasa Air: Jeddah – November 10; Riyadh – November 30
• Etihad (from Abu Dhabi to Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah): November 5

Air India passengers who booked on or before October 24 can take a one-time free rebooking or a full refund. Refund terms for other airlines were not reported.

Stranded pilgrims

APNRTS said on October 25 that about 3,000 Indian Umrah pilgrims were stuck in Saudi Arabia, roughly 1,500 of them from AP and Telangana. MP Asaduddin Owaisi put the number in Makkah and Madinah at about 4,000 on October 22. The same reports also cite the MEA saying about 3,000 had already returned. India's embassy in Riyadh and consulate in Jeddah are coordinating.